Hotel Carlton

A landmark venue for corporate events in the heart of Bilbao

Few hotels in northern Spain can match the Hotel Carlton when it comes to hosting an event that makes an impression. Opened in 1926 and declared an Architectural, Historical and Cultural Monument by the Basque Government, this five-star property occupies a commanding triangular building on Plaza Federico Moyúa — the point where Bilbao's main commercial and business streets converge, just ten minutes on foot from the Guggenheim Museum and the Old Town.

Designed by architect Manuel María Smith Ibarra in the French Second Empire style, the Carlton is defined by its iconic leaded stained-glass dome, its grand Beaux-Arts façade, and interiors that have witnessed nearly a century of history. Albert Einstein, Federico García Lorca and King Alfonso XIII have all been guests. During the Spanish Civil War, the building served as the seat of the Basque Government — a chapter still visible today in the preserved Salón Luis García Campos and El Bunker, a former concrete shelter beneath the hotel now reimagined as an atmospheric English-style bar for intimate cocktails and presentations.

The hotel offers 12 event rooms spread across three floors, all with generous ceiling heights, natural light and free Wi-Fi. Spaces range from boardroom-style rooms for 8 to 14 guests to larger halls that accommodate up to 300 people in cocktail format. The main rooms include the Salón Arias, seating up to 45 guests for a banquet or 24 at an imperial table; the Salón Azul, with cinema-style capacity for 180 and school setup for 90; La Cristalera, the spectacular oval hall beneath the hotel's signature glass dome, ideal for cocktails, press conferences and product launches for up to 300 guests; and the Salón Imperial, suited to executive meetings for up to 28 people, with an impressive terrace overlooking Plaza Federico Moyúa. Smaller rooms for 8 to 14 attendees are available for private lunches, board meetings or breakout sessions, and adjoining rooms can be combined for greater flexibility.

All rooms are supported by the hotel's dedicated Public Relations team and can be equipped with modern audiovisual systems including projection, screens, sound and staging. The Carlton's permanent staff manage every detail on-site, from layout and setup to technical support throughout the event.

Catering is handled through Carlton Taste Catering & Events, the hotel's own gastronomic service. Drawing on the kitchens of the Artagan Restaurant — where traditional Basque cuisine takes centre stage with locally sourced Km 0 products — the team designs bespoke menus for every format: coffee breaks, working breakfasts and lunches, welcome cocktails, seated dinners and full celebration banquets. For summer events, the Carlton Terrace offers open-air dining with views over Plaza Moyúa, while El Bunker provides an unusual and memorable setting for smaller receptions of up to 35 guests.

With 140 rooms — including 111 doubles, 23 superior rooms, 5 junior suites and the 250 m² Imperial Suite on the top floor — the hotel comfortably accommodates full delegations and offers group rates for event bookings. Private parking is available on-site, Bilbao airport is 15 minutes away by car, and the Abando and Moyua transport hubs are within walking distance.